Pocket-sized Surface Flotation Device for Cold-Water Aviation Survival

The proposed personal flotation raft is comprised of panels joined to form an enclosure with a canopy. In operation, the design allows a foot-first entry procedure. The user then triggers inflation of the body shell and canopy. The body shell maintains an air gap around the lower body. The design features an above shoulders canopy with a self-sealing aperture that shuts whenever submerged. The raft is constructed from layers that are sealed into an envelope. The body shell establishes an air gap insulation barrier around the user. The canopy remains upright above water even if the raft overturns. The objective of the work is to determine the technical feasibility of a pocket-sized raft design to provide durable flotation and hypothermia protection to aviation mishap survivors in cold water. Three challenges addressed in the development of a pocket-sized raft include, a) raft design and fabrication, including shell and canopy construction, materials, inflation, stability, and packaging, b) raft thermal performance modeling, and c) raft integration with aircrew operations. GAC is proposing to achieve the objective by refining flotation raft requirements; developing an aircrew ConOps; developing a conceptual raft design; modeling thermal performance; and developing raft prototypes for limited testing.